Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the savings offers appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). These offers do not represent all deposit accounts available.

How To File For Unemployment Benefits

Published 6/29/08 (Modified 6/17/11)
By MoneyBlueBook

For those of you who are fortunate to have a stable job and blessed with being gainfully employed, congratulations and more power to you. For those of you who are currently unemployed or out of a job, I feel your frustration. I've been there before and know how scary and uncertain the experience can be.

In this fluctuating and unpredictable economy, you never quite know what is lurking around the corner. Life comes at us fast and sometimes job stability, occupational predictability, and all positive aspects of full time employment can disappear in a flash. Sometimes it can be due to our own fallibility and less than perfect work performance, and sometimes it can be due to slowdowns in the economy at large. Life is unpredictable and it's hard to be certain whether there is such a field that's a sure thing anymore. During the past few years, jobs and careers related to the real estate and housing market were hot and in great demand. However, years later, with the collapse of the housing bubble, many of the jobs previously fueled by the burgeoning real estate market have mostly disappeared. Even upper echelon MBA-type financial positions at top firms like Merrill Lynch have been down sized and trimmed back, resulting in many educated employees suddenly out of work.

If you find yourself one of many who have been laid off, I feel for you. I've been through a sudden job lay off before and it's not an easy feeling or experience to go through. Not only does it put you in a sudden cash flow crunch, but it forces you to scramble around in desperation to find employment quickly. For those who have a wife, husband, or children depending on that income, the extra financial and familial pressures make the process even more urgent. However, it doesn't have to be the end of the world. There are systems and governmental assistance programs in place to help guide and cushion you during those periodic times of unemployment - namely in the form of unemployment insurance benefits. Don't let those invaluable financial benefits and entitlements pass you by during times of need - seize them immediately.

Do Not Let Petty Shame Or Guilt Prevent You From Filing For Unemployment Insurance Benefits - It's Your Money and You Are Entitled To It

I've filed for unemployment benefits several times throughout my working career thus far. I will admit, the first time I filed, I felt a tinge of shame and guilt. I felt like it was a hit on my aura of financial independence and a stain on my own sense of masculine pride. As someone who was raised to believe that an important aspect of a man's duty and responsibility was to provide for himself and his family, it was difficult for me to depend on governmental handouts for the first time. To me, receiving unemployment benefits meant I was now on welfare, and no better than some unmotivated or lazy 40 year old bum who lived in his parent's basement like some financial leach on society.

However, now that I've had experience with being the recipient of unemployment benefits, I now understand what it truly is. To receive unemployment insurance benefits is by no means the same as receiving public welfare. It's a genuine financial safety net that is subsidized by employers in a socialized manner to help decent working people get back on their feet quickly with as little financial destruction or burden as possible. While unemployment benefits provide free money for times when you're not working, a fundamental and required tenant is that the recipient actively pursue employment leads while drawing on the temporary financial perks. Being a recipient has no effect on your existing credit score and the mere act of filing has no effect on your future employment prospects. The small amount of compensation provided isn't sufficient to save or grow rich on, but is just enough to give one a semblance of financial continuity and feeling of self reliance until the person can get back on his or her feet. It helps those who want to help themselves.

Who Pays For The Funds Dispersed For Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployment benefits are provided by a special jointly run fund provided by federal and state payroll taxes called the Unemployment Insurance program. No part of an employee's actual paycheck goes directly into this unemployment fund (unlike social security) but is instead indirectly funded by employers through a special unemployment insurance tax that they pay. Almost all employers are required to pay unemployment insurance tax to help fund this public service. Unlike worker's compensation, the employer does not pay unemployment benefits to laid off employees directly, but payments are instead issued by the responsible state agency as needed. Even if an employer goes out of business, unemployment benefits can still be distributed out to the company's now unemployed workers because funds are socially subsidized by other active employers who pay into this pool of shared funds. When you are out of work for whatever reason, it's in your own interest to apply for unemployment benefits as soon as possible. Even if you refuse to file for it, you should know that you are still indirectly paying for this socialized governmental service.

Remember, there is no shame in taking on this temporary financial safety net as a short term stop gap measure - it was designed for you when you need it the most. The money is rightfully yours because your employer pays into the fund on a mandatory basis. Without its existence, you theoretically would have been given higher pay. If because of pride, you refuse to take this temporary governmental handout, ask yourself this question - will pride put food on the table for your family in the meantime until you can find your next job? Will pride pay for necessary groceries or pay for a roof over your held until you can secure that next job interview? Think about it. Desperate times require desperate measures. I personally view unemployment benefits as part of my emergency fund measures.

As Soon As You Become Unemployed, Apply For Unemployment Benefits Immediately

The most important thing to know about seeking unemployment benefit compensation is to file as soon as you become either partially or fully unemployed. Even if you suspect you will be able to file a new job relatively soon, it's still in your best interest to still file for it sooner than later. There is almost always a 1-2 week lag time between filing and when you receive benefits. Frequently, there is also a mandatory one week waiting period during which the first week will not be compensated for. The benefit clock starts when you file so if you wait around to see if a new job is forthcoming, you may miss out on much deserved unemployment entitlements. If you wait several months after becoming unemployed to file, you won't be able to claim for the non-working months that have already passed. You can only claim for the time that comes after the moment you file, so don't delay - get credit for every single moment you remain unemployed.

Even if you are confident that you have sufficient pre-existing emergency funds to live off of, it's better to file and not risk the chance that your emergency funds ultimately run out. You don't want to look back later down the road only after draining your bank account completely and racking up unpaid credit card bills, and realized that you ought to have applied for unemployment benefits earlier.

Where Do You File For Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployment benefit applications should be filed in the state where the work was performed. Check out this official U.S. Department of Labor List Of State Unemployment Agencies to determine the correct filing location. Most states today allow unemployment benefit applications to be filed via telephone, in person, or through the Internet. If you want to avoid the stigma or emotional embarrassment of filing for this entitlement in person, filing via phone or through the Internet is a great way to circumvent this problem. Not only that, those methods are also quicker ways get your money more expeditiously.

As mentioned, unemployment filings are made with the state unemployment agency in the state jurisdiction where the work was performed. If you lived in New York and worked in New York, you need to file your claim with the state of New York. What about those who lived in one state, but worked in another? In my case when I filed way back when, I lived in the state of Maryland, but worked in Washington D.C. Since I performed my employment in D.C., my place of unemployment benefit filing would be in D.C. since that's where my employers actively paid their unemployment taxes to. I could still file with the state of Maryland, but would ultimately be referred by the unemployment hotline and managing system to seek benefits from Washington D.C.

Who Is Entitled To File For Unemployment Benefits and How Much Money Can You Expect?

Generally (individual state laws vary), to qualify for unemployment benefits, an applicant must (1) meet state eligibility requirements regarding how long the employee has previously been working and how much money the employee has earned, (2) make continuing and regular application updates to the managing state agency, (3) be continuously available for work and actively seeking work, and (4) not be subject to any disqualifying employment factor.

To be entitled for unemployment benefits, employees must have become unemployed through no fault of their own (although definitions on fault vary by state). Generally those who voluntarily quit their jobs or were discharged from their positions due to willful misconduct can't qualify. However, if you were laid off due to downsizing or were discharged due to simple lack of work, you will probably be entitled to benefits. Once approved, to continue to draw on your weekly unemployment checks or direct deposits, you will required to submit weekly updates of your employment and income status either by phone or over the Internet. During that time, you are expected to actively look for work. Obviously the benefits will stop as soon as you become gainfully employed again. While it's somewhat unlikely the state agency will know if you go on vacation during that period of time instead of looking for work, you should also know that by doing so, you are committing fraud and may be required to pay the benefits back along with penalty fees if discovered. I know some people who did decide to take a brief vacation while still drawing on unemployment benefits, managing to stay under the radar, but not everyone will be that fortunate. Big brother government has sneaky ways to track you down.

To file for unemployment benefits with your state agency, you will need to provide your name, mailing address, phone number, social security number, working phone number, and may sometimes be asked to provide recent pay stubs. However, with computerized filings, oftentimes you will only need to provide your former employer's name and address, without having to provide wage or salary paperwork. Your most recent employer will be automatically contacted by the state unemployment agency to verify the circumstances and reasons of your work discharge or layoff. Their response will help determine whether you exhibit any of the disqualifying factors to receiving unemployment benefits such as you quitting on your own, or getting fired because you were stealing from them.

The amount of your weekly unemployment benefit checks will vary depending on your past income and the maximum limits of your filing jurisdiction. For those who are higher income earners, your weekly checks will be worth more. The maximum payout amount also differs from state to state. Just to give you a very rough ballpark figure of how much you can expect, the maximum payout for the District of Columbia is currently $359 a week, before tax. At about $1,436 a month, this definitely goes a long way to help pay for basic living expenses like rent until you can get back on your employment feet.

Usually there is a total amount of benefits that each specific applicant can draw upon before the entire fund for that benefit year is tapped out. But until that happens, applicants can usually receive benefits for 6 months straight (26 weeks) before depleting their entire emergency unemployment benefit reserves. Keep in mind as well, all unemployment payouts are considered taxable income. There is usually no tax withholding associated with unemployment benefits so you may be required to pay estimated taxes to meet your tax obligations.

Disclaimer: Discover is a paid advertiser of this site. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the Discover online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards.

I will still have monies available to me in my account when my year ends - I live in North Carolina - I was able to get a part time job so some weeks I did not get as much from my unemployment - I was wondering if I can still get this money after the year is up if I continue to file?

Raymond says:April 14, 2009 at 2:12 am

Teresa,

Individual state unemployment policies vary but generally you can continue to claim a portion of your unemployment benefits even if you are working a part time job...however, at the same time, it's very likely that your part time income amount may ultimately disqualify you from further unemployment benefits (you make too much to qualify for true unemployed status).

Ashley Parker says:April 14, 2009 at 11:15 am

I live in CA, work in San Francisco, I am a single parent and I have a son in High School, well my son is having problems and it takes me over an hour to get to him when there is an emergency, I was offered a job that was closer to home but it is only a temp position for 4 months, once the assignment is up can I file for unemployment benefits.

Raymond says:April 14, 2009 at 11:20 am

Ashely,

You ought to check with California's state unemployment regulations in greater detail on the matter, but I believe you should be able to qualify for unemployment benefits after the 4 month term is up...assuming you earned sufficient qualification income during the preceding months. The qualification income varies from state to state.

On another note, are you sure you want to move and sacrifice a presumably stable current job? If you moved, your new job would only be a temporary 4 month assignment. Are you willing to give up your stable long term employment at your current location?

Hung Le says:May 2, 2009 at 3:39 pm

Hello all,

Unfortunately, my position will be eliminated at the end of May so I have a couple of basic questions.

1. Can I file for unemployment benefits before my last day with the company (i.e. one week before termination date)?
2. If I file for unemployment benefits online does the agency require me to show up "in person" for some kind of verifications? I currently live in NY. Sorry for my ignorance but I don't seem to locate this information anywhere on the NY Labor website.
3. Do I need to use my current postal address or can I use my friend's address which I have no record of living there in the past?

Thank you very much.

Hung

Raymond says:May 7, 2009 at 10:13 am

Hung Le,

I am not the definitive expert on New York State labor laws or NY unemployment regulations, but I'll do my best to answer your unemployment related questions or at least point you in the right direction. I'm a bit more familiar with the laws regarding my home state of Maryland, but I do know a thing or two about generally applicable state unemployment regs. However, at the same time, I'm by no means an unemployment benefits guru.

But in general, you can't file for unemployment insurance benefits until you are completely out of work. You can't file in mere anticipation of unemployment. You have to actually be out of work and be actively searching for a new job.

These days in most states, there is no longer the requirement that you actually show up physically, although many jurisdictions require you to attend mandatory job fairs and job training seminars etc. But with unemployment benefit applications going online and becoming more web-based, there is less and less of a requirement for in person verification. Just keep in mind though, if your claims are fraudulently claimed or filed, the state government agency can impose stiff penalties, seek the return of paid out benefits, and prosecute you criminally for fraud and intent to defraud etc.

As for your last question, I'm not entirely certain on the correct answer. But I don't think it matters the address you give, so long as you file it with the correct state jurisdiction where the work was performed.

Helene says:May 9, 2009 at 9:07 pm

Hello,

Was wondering, if I've worked and lived in New York State but am employed through a Texas University am I able to collect unemployment in New York? I've been paying state and city taxes in New York and my employer has a New State Tax ID so I assume there should be no problem. Any info would be great appreciated!

Raymond says:May 10, 2009 at 2:41 am

Helene,

I believe you are correct. If you lived and worked in the state of New York for a Texas based company/institution, you would still file unemployment benefits through the state of New York, where the work was performed.

I had a similar situation in the past where I lived in Maryland, but worked in the District of Columbia for a staffing agency based in New York/New Jersey. Ultimately I properly filed and received my unemployment checks with the D.C. government authorities, the location where my work was performed.

Hung Le says:May 11, 2009 at 11:24 pm

Hi Raymond,

Thank you for your insights. I did some research after posting the above msg and noticed the info is consistent with you provided in your msg.

Looks like I am able to leave NYC on my last day with my current employer, and avoid the extra weeks of rent :).

Good luck to all.

Hung

CHRIS says:May 13, 2009 at 11:37 pm

QUICK QUESTION..... IF I HAVE SAVINGS IN THE BANK AND DONT WANT TO TOUCH THAT RIGHT NOW AFTER I GOT FIRED AND NOW IM APPLYING FOR UN-EMPLOYMENT...WILL UN-EMPLOYMENT CHECK YOUR BANK ACCT TO SEE IF YOU HAVE MONEY AND DISQUALIFY YOU BECUASE THEY SEE THAT YOU DONT NEED MONEY, WHEN REALLY THATS SAVINGS FOR A HOUSE SOME DAY I WANT TO BUY BUT JUST AT THE TIME THAT IM W/OUT A JOB DONT WANT TO TOUCH. JUST CURIUOS IF ANYONE KNOWS?

Dennis Brown says:May 17, 2009 at 2:32 pm

Currently the situation is: I continue to show up for work and do my job. My employer has not paid me for 1.5 months. I still have one check he issued me through the Dept of Labor. It will not cash because the IRS has "frozen all his accounts" Can I apply for unemployment if I stop going to work and look for a job?

Diane says:June 7, 2009 at 4:32 pm

Hi. My position (retail assistant manager) is being eliminated by my company. If i am offerred another position at a lower rate of pay, will i be eligible for unemplyment insurance if i refuse it? Thanks....

Jason says:June 10, 2009 at 7:36 pm

Hello,

My last day of work was in mid April. Fortunately, I had some money saved up so I've been traveling for awhile, and I plan to continue to travel until September before starting to look for a job.

So my question is -- Can I file for Unemployment Insurance in September after I get back? Is there an expiration date as far as when I'm supposed to file by? And finally, if I file in September and be approved, am I eligible to receive UI for 6 months or until I find employment?

Thank you in advance. Much appreciated.

San says:June 17, 2009 at 6:01 pm

Hi,
I was working in NYC & was laid off on Feb 2nd, received severance until end of March During Feb until end of March i was almost having a good job offer but did not get hired. Therefore I missed filing for UI benefits. Secondly my wife was pregnant during that time and had some complications, that distracted me a lot. Will I get credit for the missed weeks? Do the board normally consider such applications for prior period credits? This was the first time in my career of 12 years I got laid off and had to go on unemployment.

Thanks
San

erica says:June 19, 2009 at 3:28 pm

Hi,
I worked for a company that has closed down recently. Not just the one location that I worked at; rather, all 26 stores, including headquarters and the h.r. offices have also closed. They let me go prior to it, calling it downsizing, so I didnt get a severance. My question is, since the company is now closed, is there any way for me to collect UI? Im just worried that because no one works there anymore, there wont be a way for the state to confirm that I was let go at no fault of my own (attendance, failing to adhere to policies, etc)...Can anybody help me? Thanks!

Ann Smith says:June 20, 2009 at 6:32 pm

Retired. Forced to return to work to pay for debt incurred by family problem. Found a job. Worked 9 months. Told there would not be funding for the job next year. Am I able to apply for UI?

Jodie says:June 22, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Chris, unemployment is not based on need. It is only based on requirements that involve how long you were employed, how much you made, etc. It does not matter how many assets you have. This comes from an insurance that is paid by the employer.

Jeam says:June 23, 2009 at 7:46 pm

Took early retirement from job. Applied for UEC and was denied. I did not dispute the claim is it to late to dispute or should I file a new claim. I think I should qualify, the job had become very stressful and several people have filed stress claims and one person actually passed away at the job.

frequent traveler says:June 30, 2009 at 5:55 am

I accepted a position a couple of years ago in which would require me to travel "some" and when asked how much was told to ask a co-worker how much she travels and the response was 1 to 2 nights a week. In the past year our company has expanded in development but experienced cut backs in staff which doubled my work load causing me to travel 3-4 nights a week and working 50-70 hours per week (salary non exempt) to get the work done. My family and my health have greatly been impacted due to this schedule. My company will not fire me, I work too hard, and I can't afford to quit to seek employment elsewhere in my area. I reside in Arkansas, if I am unable to continue the travel (I have an elementary age child at home) and am forced to quit for personal/health reasons is there any way to receive unemployment benefits?

Regina says:July 15, 2009 at 11:14 am

Question: Can I re-apply for unclaimed unemployment benefits? I filed for benefits about 2 yrs ago but never receive any money from it. I was a stay at home mom. Now that I'm trying to find work and my family needs the money. Can I re-file from my last job?

Disclaimer: Because rates and offers from advertisers shown on this website change frequently,
please visit referenced sites for current information.
This website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise.

Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the savings offers
appearing on this site are from advertisers from which this website receives compensation for being listed here.
This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). These offers do not represent all deposit accounts available.

Disclaimer: Because rates and offers from advertisers shown on this website change frequently, please visit referenced sites for current
information. This website may be compensated by companies mentioned through advertising, affiliate programs or otherwise.